Captain Dwayne Chapple has been selected as the new Chief of Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services. He will begin his new assignment on Friday, March 7, 2025.
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OC Sheriff Public Affairs, 714-904-7042
Captain Chapple selected as Chief of Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Ca. (March 5, 2025): Captain Dwayne Chapple has been selected as the new Chief of Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services. He will begin his new assignment Friday, March 7.
“I am deeply blessed and honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chief of Police Services for Rancho Santa Margarita,” Captain Chapple said. “I am grateful for the trust and support I received from city officials and OC Sheriff leadership as I embark on this new path. I stand committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, service, and community engagement that the city deserves.”
Captain Chapple joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2009 where he was assigned to the Central Men’s Jail. He then became a member of the Jail Compliance and Training Team, where he helped develop policies and facilitated training for staff.
He was assigned to patrol in 2014 and worked for the city of Dana Point before promoting to investigator in 2018. As an investigator, Captain Chapple worked in auto theft and general investigations playing a vital role in bringing criminal offenders to justice and maintaining the public safety of our residents.
In 2021, Captain Chapple promoted to the rank of sergeant and was first assigned to the Theo Lacy Facility before joining the SAFE Division’s internal affairs team. Captain Chapple became the Community Services Unit Sergeant for Dana Point in 2022, supervising the proactive patrol detail responsible for building community partnerships, providing specialized enforcement and addressing quality of life concerns.
Most recently, Captain Chapple earned the rank of Lieutenant, managing daily operations and personnel assigned to the James A. Musick Facility.
Captain Chapple has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a master’s degree in Education from State University of New York, Potsdam, and he currently also serves as an associate instructor with Santa Ana College. He possesses a deep understanding of how to guide teams, make strategic decisions, and cultivate a positive organizational culture. Over his career, he has been recognized for his dedication to public safety, being named the 2014 Recipient of the American Legion Medal of Merit and the 2018 Recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Deputy of the Year.
In his time off, Captain Chapple enjoys spending quality time with his family, who help balance and support his demanding career.